Archive for April 7, 2012

One of the best things about renting an apartment, condo, or single family home is that if something breaks, it’s the landlord’s responsibility to fix it.

But, before you feel too secure, you need to ask yourself just how protected you really are. What if you are burglarized? What if something catches fire or a pipe bursts and your expensive stuff is destroyed? Even worse, what if somebody has an accident on the property and decides to sue you? Unfortunately, in the above situations, you’re usually on your own. The landlord is not responsible!

Any smart renter will tell you the best way to protect yourself against personal property damage or liability is to purchase a renter’s insurance policy.

But, there are a lot of misconceptions about what kind of coverage this policy provides, and whether or not it’s worth investing in. Here are some common myths:

Myth #1: Renter’s insurance is too expensive.
It’s not. A renters insurance policy that that covers up to $30,000 of personal property and provides up to $100,000 in liability coverage can run you as little as $10 to $25 a month.

Myth #2: I don’t need renter’s insurance; my landlord has a homeowner’s policy.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but your landlord’s policy will not cover your personal belongings, nor will it offer coverage if someone becomes injured in your home or has their property damaged there, and decides to sue you. The homeowner coverage your landlord has will only cover damage to the home itself, not the items inside it like furniture, electronics, clothes, appliances, etc.

Myth # 3: Renter’s insurance has too many loopholes. They won’t provide coverage when I need it.
It’s true that depending on your coverage, renter’s insurance may not cover damage from certain events like earthquakes or floods – you need to read the fine print on any policy. But, it usually covers most things, including living expenses if you need to move out of the home while any damage is being repaired.

Myth #4: I move frequently so it wouldn’t be worth it to purchase a renter’s insurance policy.
If you move to different cities and rent within the same state, your policy shouldn’t be affected. Just inform your insurance carrier of your new address and when you plan to move, so your coverage can continue uninterrupted.

So, where is the best place to find the affordable renters insurance?
A great place to start is with Unitrin Direct insurance. They are a leading provider in the global insurance industry and they offer free renter’s insurance quotes on their website. Simply fill out one of their short, online forms, and your quote will be delivered to you in minutes. And, they make it simple to understand what you are getting, so you can rest assured there won’t be any surprises.

Unitrin Direct also offers discounts on renter’s insurance if you combine it with other policies like auto insurance through a Multi-Policy Discount. Representatives are available to chat with you online or on the phone for further assistance.